insulator

American  

[in-suh-ley-ter, ins-yuh-] / ˈɪn səˌleɪ tər, ˈɪns yə- /

noun

1. Electricity.

   1. a material of such low conductivity that the flow of current through it is negligible.

   2. insulating material, often glass or porcelain, in a unit form designed so as to support a charged conductor and electrically isolate it.

2. a person or thing that insulates.

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insulator British  

/ ˈɪnsjʊˌleɪtə /

noun

1. any material or device that insulates, esp a material with a very low electrical conductivity or thermal conductivity or something made of such a material

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insulator Scientific  

/ ĭn′sə-lā′tər /

1. A material or an object that does not easily allow heat, electricity, light, or sound to pass through it. Air, cloth and rubber are good electrical insulators; feathers and wool make good thermal insulators.

2. Compare conductor

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insulator Cultural  

1. A material that does not easily transmit energy, such as electric current (see also current) or heat. Materials such as wood, plastic, and ceramics are insulators. Fiberglass is an example of a heat insulator. (Compare conductor.)

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Other Word Forms

• noninsulator
  noun

Etymology

Origin of insulator

First recorded in 1795–1805; insulate + -or ²

Explanation

Any material that keeps energy such as electricity, heat, or cold from easily transferring through is an insulator. Wood, plastic, rubber, and glass are good insulators. Swiss cheese...not so much. The word insulator comes from the Latin root insulātus, which means "like an island." If your house is built out of good insulators, you might enjoy an island of warmth inside it even during cold winter nights. The opposite of insulator is conductor: a material that easily transmits heat or electricity.

Example Sentences

SAT Jefferson Insulator Club displays, swap meet, appraisals of insulators, electrical artifacts, signs, bottles, bring something for potluck lunch, 9 a.m.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 19, 2014

Hurd 234,479 Instep holder, McKay & Fairfield 234,488 Insulator, telegraph, C. Bigeon 234,523 Iron with oxide, coating, G. & A. S.

From Scientific American, Volume XLIII., No. 25, December 18, 1880 A Weekly Journal of Practical Information, Art, Science, Mechanics, Chemistry, and Manufactures. by Various